If Trey Elizondo had to choose a favorite FFA memory, it just might be the trips to competitions and conferences that he and his fellow Yoakum FFA members took with their FFA advisor. Now serving as the 2016-17 National FFA Vice President−Western Region, the Texan’s path to national office was not a traditional one, but Trey says he never stopped striving for his dream.

This segment aired on the November 26, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

Kim O’Byrne and Doug Cometti work as a team, teaching agriculture and serving as FFA advisors at Mayfield High School in Las Cruces, N.M. Kim and Doug talk with former National FFA Officer Shannon Norris about the unique opportunities available through agricultural education and FFA, and they share some special success stories that their students have experienced.

This segment aired on the November 26, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

In preparation for a statewide FFA rangeland judging contest, eastern Colorado FFA members gathered for a day of rangeland education and appreciation. The students studied the conditions and plants of the rangeland and learned about conservation and wise use of this valuable resource.

This segment aired on the November 26, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

Robin Futch, FFA advisor at Carson Valley FFA Chapter in Minden, Nev., is carrying on the chapter’s tradition of hosting a Farm to Fork Harvest Dinner around Thanksgiving. Students raise, harvest and cook turkeys and they glean produce from the school garden for the meal. FFA members Tanner McNabb and Cristina Munoz explain what they have learned by participating in this project.

This segment aired on the November 19, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

Ashley Willits’ mother and father are both agriculture teachers and FFA advisors, so it is not surprising that the 2016-17 National FFA Vice President−Eastern Region is passionate about FFA. Ashley says her goal as a national officer is to let everyone know that FFA gives all students a place to belong. She wants all FFA members to feel at home in the organization.

This segment aired on the November 19, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

Nelson McCracken was named the 2016 NAAE Outstanding Agricultural Education Teacher for Region V. He previously taught agriculture at Bagley Middle School in Chatsworth, Ga., but now teaches at North Murray High School in the same town. He says it’s important to “plant the seed early” by teaching middle school and junior high students about agriculture.

This segment aired on the November 19, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

Tom Andres, agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Big Sky High School in Missoula, Mont., was named the 2016 NAAE Outstanding Agricultural Education Teacher for Region I. Tom started his career as a science teacher and then switched to agriculture. He says the best place to teach science is on the school farm.

This segment aired on the November 19, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

Correspondent Thomas Shaw talks with DeShawn Blanding, the 2016-17 National FFA Vice President−Southern Region. DeShawn says his goal is to help grow the National FFA Organization’s membership through diversity. He encourages FFA members to step out of their comfort zone – take a leap of faith – and look for new opportunities to explore. You’ll also find out which CDE is his favorite!

This segment aired on the November 12, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

Nicole Stearns, 2016-17 Vermont State FFA Reporter, tells correspondent Kelsey Litchfield how her experiences in FFA are helping her prepare for her future career working with children. Through the Ag Day program her FFA chapter hosts at school, children are introduced to FFA and agriculture so they can begin to understand where their food comes from.

This segment aired on the November 12, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.

Orion Samuelson introduces us to two of the 2016-17 Alaska State FFA Officers – Sentinel Melissa Clark and Secretary Annie Looman. Melissa explains how FFA has offered her opportunities to become better prepared for a future career as a veterinarian. Annie describes the Maritime Science CDE that is offered in Alaska and she talks about her experience researching an invasive species of crayfish.

This segment aired on the November 12, 2016 “FFA Today” show on Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.